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30+ Easy Words For Relationships In Thai To Deepen Your Cross-Cultural Love
Make it fun and easy with the Ling app!
By Genine Torres
Updated on February 6, 2025
Table Of Contents
Love knows no borders, and when your heart is set on someone from another culture, learning their language can be a beautiful way to bridge the gap.
If your sweetheart is Thai, learning vocabulary about relationships in Thai can show your dedication, strengthen your emotional connection, and make their family appreciate you even more.
Whether you miss your แฟน (faen) ‘girlfriend/boyfriend,’ want to สารภาพรัก (sǎa rá pâap rák) ‘confess your love,’ or dream of แต่งงานกัน (dtàaeng ngaan gan) ‘getting married’ to them, we’ve got you covered with all the words for relationships in Thai.
Speaking their language isn’t just about words— it’s a heartfelt gesture that shows you’re serious about understanding their world.
Ready to impress your darling and win over their family? Let’s dive into the most essential relationship vocabulary!
Table Of Contents
1) Vocabulary About Relationship Statuses In Thai
Understanding the correct terms for relationship status in Thai is essential, especially if you aim to connect more deeply with your Thai sweetheart and their family.
Words like แฟน (faen) ‘boyfriend/girlfriend,’ สามี (sǎa mii) ‘husband,’ and ภรรยา (pan rá yaa) ‘wife’ are key terms to learn.
Knowing these terms ensures that you address your partner with the appropriate status and title, whether speaking to them directly or when their family or friends ask about your relationship.
Using the right words shows respect and strengthens your bond by aligning with the cultural context of your partner’s country.
| English | Thai | Literal Translation | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | โสด (sòot) | “single” | |
| In a relationship | เป็นแฟนกัน | “to be girlfriend/boyfriend to each other” | |
| Married | แต่งงานกัน (dtàaeng ngaan gan) | “married together” | |
| Engaged | หมั้นกัน(mân gan) | “engaged together” | |
| Married with kids | แต่งงาน มีลูกแล้ว (dtàeng ngaan mii lûuk láaew) | “married and have kids already” | |
| Boyfriend | แฟน (หนุ่ม) (faen nùm) | “(male) lover” | |
| Girlfriend | แฟน (สาว) (faen sǎao) | “(female) lover” | |
| Partner | คนรัก (kon rák) | “person (I) love” | |
| Ex-boyfriend/girlfriend | แฟนเก่า (faen gào) | “old lover” | |
| Side-chick/ side-guy | กิ๊ก (gík) | – | |
| Husband | สามี (sǎa mii) | “husband” | |
| Wife | ภรรยา (pan rá yaa) | “wife” | |
| Widower | พ่อม่าย (pôo mâai) | “widowed dad” | |
| Widow | แม่ม่าย (mâae mâai) | “widowed mum” |
Notice that in Thai, there isn’t a strict distinction between a male and female lover in casual terms.
The word แฟน (faen) is used for both “boyfriend” and “girlfriend”—”lover” in general, making it a neutral term to describe a romantic partner regardless of gender, but you further specify the gender by adding the word หนุ่ม (nùm) ‘male’ or สาว (sǎao) ‘female’ after แฟน (faen) if you want to be clear.
2) Vocabulary About Expressing Love In Thai
Expressing love is vital in any relationship; in Thai, knowing how to describe romantic gestures can make those moments even more meaningful.
Phrases like คิดถึง (kít tǔeng), ‘to miss,’ and บอกรัก (bòok rák), ‘to say I love you’ allow you to express your heartfelt feelings in your sweetheart’s language.
Learning these terms helps create a deeper connection between you and your loved one.
Now, let’s dive into all the romantic gestures you need to know!
| English | Thai | Literal Translation | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| To confess your love | สารภาพรัก (sǎa rá pâap rák) | “to confess love” | |
| To miss | คิดถึง (kít tǔeng) | “to miss” | |
| To date | คบ (kóp) | “to associate” | |
| To like | ชอบ (chôop) | “to like” | |
| To ask someone to be in a relationship | ขอคบ (kǒo kóp) | “to ask to associate with” | |
| To try and lead someone on | ให้ความหวัง (hâi kwaam wǎng) | “to give hope” | |
| To say I love you | บอกรัก (bòok rák) | “to say love” | |
| To take good care of someone | เทคแคร์ดี (têek kae dii) | “good at taking care” | |
| To court | จีบ (jìip) | “to court” | |
| To hug | กอด (gòot) | “to hug” | |
| To kiss | จูบ (jùup) | “to kiss” | |
| To get married | แต่งงาน (dtàaeng ngaan) | “to get married” | |
| To have kids together | มีลูกด้วยกัน (mii lûuk dûai gan) | “to have kids together” | |
| To ask for breakup | ขอเลิก (kǒo lôoek) | “to ask to stop” | |
| To fall in love | หลงรัก (lǒng rák) | “to fall in love” | |
| To please | ชอบเอาใจ (chôop ao jai) | “to like getting someone’s heart” |
3) Romantic Terms Of Endearment In Thai
Sweet, loving words have the power to bring people closer, and terms of endearment play an essential role in romantic relationships in Thai.
Calling your sweetheart ที่รัก (tîi rák) ‘darling’ or ยอดรัก (yôot rák) ‘beloved’ not only adds intimacy and warmth to your conversations but also strengthens your bond by using words that resonate with their heart.
These little expressions of affection can leave a lasting impression on your Thai partner.
| English | Thai | Literal Translation | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| Darling | ที่รัก (tîi rák) | “(one) that I love” | |
| Darling | ตัวเอง (dtua eng) | “myself” | |
| Darling | ดาหลิง (daa lǐng) | “darling” | |
| Sweetheart | หวานใจ (wǎan jai) | “sweetheart” | |
| Dearest | ทูนหัว (tuun hǔa) | “to carry on (my) head” | |
| Beloved | ยอดรัก (yôot rák) | “tip of my love” |
Did you notice that some of these words are loanwords in Thai, too?
Discussing Relationship Status, Expressing Love, And Using Terms Of Endearment: All In One Conversation
Now, let’s combine everything we’ve learned and impress your Thai sweetheart with your sweet words!
With these phrases, you can express your love, show affection, and use terms of endearment that will make them feel special and appreciated.
Get ready to take your relationship to the next level!
| English | Thai | Sound | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| A (Female): “Are we officially a couple?” B (Male): “Yes, we are!” | A: เราเป็นแฟนกันแล้วใช่ไหม (rao pen faen kan láeo chái mái?)” B: ใช่ เราเป็นแฟนกันแล้ว (châai rao pen faen kan láeo)” | A:
B: | Discussing Relationship Status |
| A: “I love you a lot, you know?” B. “I fell in love with you too!” | A: ฉันชอบคุณมากเลยนะ (chán chôop khun mâak loei ná)” B: ผมก็หลงรักคุณเหมือนกัน (pǒm gòr lǒng rák khun múean gan)” | A:
B: | Expressing Love |
| A: “You’re my darling.” B. “Yes, babe.” | A: คุณคือที่รักของฉัน (khun kue dtua eng khong chán)” B: ครับ เบ๊บ (krúp béeb) | A:
B: | Using Terms of Endearment |
Tips: How to Deepen Your Connection with Your Thai Sweetheart Through Language
Learning Thai relationship terms isn’t just about vocabulary—it’s about showing emotional intelligence, respect, and genuine care for your partner’s Thai culture.
Here are three actionable steps to help you strengthen that bond and feel even more at home in your relationship:
1. Clarify your relationship stage—don’t assume
Ask your Thai partner directly if you’re officially แฟน (faen – boyfriend/girlfriend).
Thai relationship culture includes nuanced terms like คนคุย (kon kui – “someone you’re talking to”), and กิ๊ก (gík – “casual fling”).
Without clarity, your partner might see the relationship differently.
Using the right word helps avoid misunderstandings and shows you care about their expectations and emotional world.
2. Use Thai endearments sincerely, not carelessly
Words like ที่รัก (tîi rák – “darling”) or ทูนหัว (tuun hǔa – “dearest”) are deeply affectionate and carry emotional weight. Use them meaningfully—not just to get attention or impress.
Overusing or misusing these can feel shallow or objectifying, especially in a culture that values emotional subtlety.
Speak to them with intention, and they’ll carry your heart with them.
3. Express love in ways that feel authentic to both of you
Simple, heartfelt phrases like คิดถึง (kít tǔeng – “I miss you”) or รักนะ (rák ná – “love you”) are casual, warm, and probably the most widely used expressions to express love across all Thai dialects.
Sprinkling them into daily conversations—especially during moments apart—helps your partner feel emotionally seen, understood, and deeply valued. These small efforts speak volumes.
How Do You Say Relationships In Thai?
The word for relationships in Thai is ความสัมพันธ์ (kwaam sǎm pan) .
Understanding this word enables you to express interest in the status of your connection, such as asking, “What’s the relationship between us?” or stating, “I would like to further this relationship.”
If you’re ready to take the next step and want to express being in a relationship, you can say เป็นแฟนกัน (bpen faen gan) “be a lover to each other”.
For example, เราเป็นแฟนกันนะ (rao bpen faen gan ná), meaning “Let’s be in a relationship,” “Let’s date,” or “Be my girlfriend/boyfriend.”
Mastering this phrase allows you to move your romantic relationship forward with ease, deepening the emotional bond.
Frequently Asked Questions About Relationships In Thai
What Do Lovers Call Each Other In Thai?
In Thai, lovers often use affectionate terms to call each other, and common ones include ที่รัก (tîi rák) or ตัวเอง (dtua eng) for darling, and หวานใจ (wǎan jai) for sweetheart. Additionally, English loanwords in Thai like ดาหลิง (daa lǐng), darling, and เบ๊บ (béeb), “babe,” have become increasingly popular in modern Thai, adding variety to how affection is expressed. These sweet nicknames add warmth to the relationship and bring a sense of intimacy that is deeply appreciated in Thai culture. Learning these terms allows you to connect more deeply with your loved one and shows your willingness to adapt to their cultural norms and emotional language.
How Do You Say Girlfriend And Boyfriend In Thai?
In Thai, the term for both girlfriend and boyfriend is simply แฟน (faen), which is gender-neutral. This makes it particularly useful when referring to someone you’re dating without specifying their gender. It is helpful if you want to avoid awkwardness—especially when speaking to elders or in professional settings. For example, if you’re speaking to someone you’re not familiar with or if you’re in a same-sex relationship, you can refer to your partner as แฟน (faen) without drawing unnecessary attention. It’s a respectful, versatile term that helps you navigate conversations smoothly, avoiding any potential discomfort around gender in more traditional or conservative circles.
What Are Thai Relationships Like?
Thai relationships are layered and complex. You have different stages of connection, such as คนคุย (kon kui), “a person you’re talking to, “which refers to someone you’re talking to but not yet in a committed relationship, and แฟน (faen) “lover,” which indicates a committed partner. There’s also the more casual term กิ๊ก (gík), “casual lover,” referring to someone you’re dating but without the expectation of exclusivity. Understanding these layers allows you to navigate the spectrum of relationships in Thai culture, offering a way to express your feelings depending on where you stand in your connection. Whether you’re just getting to know each other, officially together, or in a more casual situation, these terms help you communicate your intentions clearly while respecting cultural norms.
Wrapping It Up: Your Key To Deepening Cross-Cultural Connections
By now, you’ve learned key phrases that will help you connect with your Thai sweetheart and their family on a deeper level.
Understanding Vocabulary About Relationship Statuses In Thai will help you express where you stand in the relationship with respect and clarity.
Vocabulary About Expressing Love In Thai allows you to open your heart and express affection in a language that resonates with your loved one.
You’ll also find Romantic Terms Of Endearment In Thai valuable in bringing warmth and intimacy to your relationship.
Finally, the ability to weave it all together with Discussing Relationship Status, Expressing Love, and Using Terms of Endearment: All In One Conversation and Tips: How to Deepen Your Connection with Your Thai Sweetheart Through Language ensures you’re ready for real-life moments with your partner.
Embrace these words, and let them help you create stronger, more meaningful bonds that will make your cross-cultural relationship flourish!
So, which of these words will you start using with your Thai sweetheart?
Could it be ตัวเอง (dtua eng) “darling,” or หวานใจ (wǎan jai) “sweetheart”?
Hopefully, you’ve gained a solid understanding of how to navigate relationship talk in Thai.
If you’re eager to learn more about navigating relationships in Thai, check out our blogs on how to say I love you in Thai, words for dating in Thai, breakup lines in Thai, and how to express your other half about your moods and emotions in Thai.
There’s so much more to discover!
Ready To Connect On A Deeper Level?
Mastering vocabulary on relationships in Thai is the perfect way to show your dedication and strengthen the bond with your Thai sweetheart.
By learning how to express love, use terms of endearment, and discuss relationship statuses, you’ll deepen your connection and feel more at home in your partner’s world.
Learn Thai Language with Ling and confidently navigate conversations, earning the respect of your partner’s family and creating a lasting sense of belonging.
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